Looking back on 2012

The Stuttgart Ricebirds were crowned state champions for the seventh time in school history after defeating Ozark 28-7 Saturday, Dec. 8, at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

Stuttgart accomplished its goal of playing in the very first high school football game in the state of Arkansas in 2012, as well as playing in the final game of the 2012 season.

2. Sewer line problems plague residents, city council

The night of Nov. 21, 2011, brought a high amount of rainfall that had Beumer Street area homes experiencing large amounts of water coming from their clean out valves, which are attached to homes every 100 feet to relieve pressure from a line before backing up into homes.

One family was displaced entirely from their home due to the back up and several other residents from the area have had to replace carpet, flooring and other items due to their homes flooding.

A grounding rod, shower curtain, woman’s girdle and other clothing were removed from the city’s sewer lines in the Beumer Street area since the back up.

The city council originally voted to pay the Beumer Street residents to help cover costs related to the sewer back up, however the vote was ruled void after it was discovered that the council needed a majority vote of council members elected, not members present.

Stuttgart Municipal Waterworks spent much of 2012 upgrading water and sewer lines throughout the city.

3. Stuttgart Public Schools millage increase passes

The proposed millage increase for the Stuttgart School District passed with 464 votes for it. The district’s millage will now increase from 31.9 to 36.9.

It’s the first millage increase since 2001 with the new 5 mills to be split evenly between debt service and maintenance and operation.

It would also continue the pre-existing 6.9 debt mills through 2042, a 12-year extension, and go toward a $16,280,00 refunding and construction 30-year bond issue.

The bond issue’s proceeds would then be used to refund the June 1, 2010, bond issue and produce approximately $4,350,000 in construction proceeds for constructing, refurbishing, remodeling and equipping school facilities.

4. One dead, two injured in botched robbery

A Stuttgart teen was killed and two other men were injured after a botched robbery attempt at A-Z Mart on Saturday, Aug. 25.

Two masked suspects — Bronshea L. Ferrell and Kendrick Haynes — allegedly entered the store with firearms at 9:50 p.m., according to the Stuttgart Police Department. There were three clerks on duty in the store who decided to put up a fight against the robbers.

When one of the suspects went behind the counter, a struggle for a firearm ensued, leaving one clerk with a bullet wound in the thigh. The clerks fought for the gun and shot Ferrell. Haynes received three bullet wounds that were described as superficial.

Ferrell later died at a Little Rock hospital.

Haynes fled the scene and was apprehended later. He was charged with aggravated robbery, first-degree battery and criminal attempt theft of property.

5. Producers expands, sets new season green rice record

Production began in the spring on Producers Rice mill’s Dryer No. 6, and the project was completed just in time for the 2012 harvest.

This improvement brings an extra 3.5 million bushel storage space.

Producers set a new single season green rice record Thursday, Oct. 25, after a load was brought in pushing the mark over the 2010 record of 16,621,000 bushels.

“This is an all time record. With the acreage being low this year I believe the ratoon crops and having Dryer (No.) 6 helped out significantly,” Producers Rice Mill President and CEO Keith Glover said.

6. Arkansas County post offices remain open

Surrounding towns will not lose their post offices after all. A new strategy — shorter retail window hours — is the latest news from the U.S. Postal Service that will save individual P.O. Boxes, town ZIP Codes and community identities.

The proposed hours of operation in Arkansas County Post Offices include four hours for Almyra, Casscoe and St. Charles; two hours for Clarkedale, Crocketts Bluff, Ethel and Tichnor; and six hours for Gillett.

7. Arkansas County polling places consolidated

Arkansas County consolidated its polling places for all upcoming elections. It’s news that Arkansas County Judge Glenn “Sonny” Cox told the Arkansas County Quorum Court on Tuesday, Jan. 11, that the Arkansas County Election Commission made the decision, which is about 10-15 years behind other counties’ moves to a similar system.

The consolidation brings all polling places to within the county’s incorporated cities with only one poll place per city.

8. County sees tornadoes, drought, snow in 2012

Arkansas County saw just about everything Mother Nature could throw at it in 2012.

The National Weather Service confirmed two EF2 and one EF1 tornadoes touched down in Arkansas County in late January.

A summer drought plagued area farmers, before Hurricane Isaac made its way to the Grand Prairie.

Arkansas saw its first white Christmas in over 80 years as snow blanketed the state and knocked out power to over 150,000 residents. Arkansas County suffered no damage during the storm and residents kept power throughout the holiday.

9. Glover reigns as Miss Ark., competes in Miss America

Stuttgart native Kristen Glover was crowned Miss Arkansas in July 2011 and kicked off 2012 by competing for the Miss America crown.

Glover was named a Quality of Life finalist at the national pageant.

Glover made appearances throughout the state, including several across the Grand Prairie.

10. Hayes named Teacher of the Year regional finalist

Ashley Hayes, a sixth-grade literacy teacher at Meekins Middle School, was named a regional finalist for the 2012-13 Arkansas Teacher of the Year competition. Hayes was named the Stuttgart teacher of the Year in August.